Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has called for stronger commitment to effectively implement the Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) programme. He emphasized prioritizing communities facing difficulties accessing essential healthcare services. This initiative aims to bring quality healthcare closer to people, reducing the need for long-distance travel for treatment.
Dr. Akoriyea made this call at a Free Primary Health Care durbar in Zuarungu, Bolgatanga East District, on Friday, August 14, 2026. He highlighted that access to healthcare is a fundamental right for every citizen. The GHS Director-General stressed the importance of ensuring that medical services are readily available where people live.
This push for FPHC aligns with Ghana's broader efforts to improve public health outcomes and reduce health inequalities. The government has consistently aimed to strengthen primary healthcare as the foundation of its health system. Previous initiatives, such as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), also sought to make healthcare more affordable and accessible. The FPHC programme represents a significant step towards universal health coverage, focusing on preventive and basic curative services at the community level.
Drawing on his 18 years of experience in Cuba, Dr. Akoriyea referenced the country’s healthcare model as an example of accessible medical services. He noted that Ghanaian professionals who studied in Cuba brought back valuable lessons. These experiences could help shape efforts to expand healthcare access under the FPHC programme in Ghana. Dr. Akoriyea stated, “Today I feel extremely honoured to stand before you and break down something I do believe that each one of us deserve.”
The GHS Director-General also recalled Ghana’s previous efforts to deliver specialist services directly to underserved communities. He mentioned the introduction of mobile advanced medical units approximately 13 years ago. This initiative began in Accra before expanding to other regions, with Dr. Akoriyea managing these units until 2016. His experience with the mobile health programme reinforced the importance of taking medical services to communities rather than waiting for residents to travel to facilities. He explained, “At that time we were taking the specialized services to the people.”
The effective implementation of the FPHC programme could significantly impact public health indicators across Ghana. It aims to reduce the burden on tertiary hospitals by addressing common ailments at the primary level. This approach could lead to better health outcomes, especially in rural and remote areas. Stakeholders, including local government, traditional leaders, and community health workers, will need to collaborate closely to ensure the programme's success. The GHS will likely focus on resource allocation, training, and infrastructure development in the coming months to support this critical initiative. Dr. Akoriyea pledged to lead the translation of the FPHC policy into practical services for Ghanaians, particularly those in deprived areas. He added, “I have been silently entrusted to lead this whole issue of implementing practically what we call the Free Primary Health Care.”